Kleinman
A mostly Ashkenazi surname meaning “little man” or “small man,” built from German/Yiddish words for “small” and “man.”
The #9,607 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 91,264 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Kleinman is a compound surname from German and Yiddish elements: klein, meaning “small” or “little,” and Mann/men, meaning “man.” It most likely began as a descriptive nickname, perhaps for a short person or, in some cases, as an affectionate or ironic label. In Jewish naming practice, it also fits the broad pattern of Ashkenazi surnames formed from everyday German words.
History
The name is especially associated with Ashkenazi Jewish families from German-speaking Central Europe and neighboring regions. Like many such surnames, it became hereditary during the late 18th and 19th centuries, when fixed family names were being adopted or required by civil authorities. It later spread through migration to North America, Israel, and other diaspora communities.
Origin
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Fun fact
Klein is a very common German word surname element, so Kleinman can be understood quite literally as “small man” without needing a family occupation behind it.